RICHMOND — Around this time last year, Evan Royster appeared to be on his way to becoming the Washington Redskins‘ starting tailback. Two strong performances (39 total carries for 245 yards) to close out the 2011 season had propelled the former practice squad player up the depth chart.

But for as quickly as Royster’s leap into the starter discussion transpired, the gradual steps back down to the fringes of the Redskins’ offensive game plan – injuries, Alfred Morris‘s emergence, a demotion from his third-down back duties — seemed to play out just as swiftly.

Now, with Morris firmly entrenched as the starter and five running backs logjammed in a race for the likely two backup spots, Royster in some ways sounds as if he’s back in 2011, a sixth-round draft pick looking to fight his way off the bubble and onto the final roster.

“I want to be on this team and I want to play,” Royster said following Thursday’s morning walk-through. “So I’m going to come out here to compete and do my best all the time, no matter what the situation is.”

That's my Dawg! He got a lot of fight in him yet, we will see who can make the most out of their carries during preseason... If he is the odd man out OR makes the roster-we will be deep at rb that's for sure

cowboykillerzRGiii wrote:That's my Dawg! He got a lot of fight in him yet, we will see who can make the most out of their carries during preseason... If he is the odd man out OR makes the roster-we will be deep at rb that's for sure

The guy looked terrible to me last year...maybe it was just in comparison with Morris. At any rate, Morris will be almost as hard to replace as RG111. With Royster or Helu at RB, no title.

Helu rushed 13 times for 57 yards, while Royster took the rock 14 times for 62 yards. "I thought Royster did a great job when he was in there," Shanahan said. "I’ve got to take a look at film, but my initial thoughts were I’m very impressed with both." Royster is squarely on the bubble, but eliciting public praise from his coach is a good sign. Ideally, Helu would serve as the Redskins' third-down back while Royster acted as more of a direct backup to Alfred Morris. It's unclear where rookies Chris Thompson and Jawan Jamison fit.

Yeah, I'll standby what I said. And I still think he has no real place on this team moving forward.

If Royster was so grand, why did Helu after having not played in an eternity get the nod over him? Royster isn't what this team really needs to break out at the RB position. He's not a threat to do anything but get what the defense will give him, nothing more. And that's adequate... Adequate gets you on the cut list.

Still, the rookies have to show something to unseat him. He's earned his spot but I'm looking forward to an upgrade. Someone who will truly compliment Morris. We'll get to see that potential on Monday.

HTTRRG3ALMO wrote:Was it just me, or did Helu look a little slow on Thursday? Don't get me wrong, dude is probably still getting back into the swing of things and still building his speed back up.

Problem with these games being once a week is that I start over-analyzing out of boredom

He's quick but lacks top end speed.

I saw a D-lineman bust through at the point of attack but Helu still got the edge. He can do 40 in 4.4 which is about as far as a back usually needs to run anyway. Most guys reach top speed at about the 60 yard mark in a 100 then begin to slow.

It's possible Royster is still Morris' handcuff since he is more Morris-like than Helu-like. Helu clearly has the edge as the 3rd down back and is sniffing handcuff status. Royster did score against Seattle so I'd never call him garbage. He may still be better than Helu at blitz pick-up ... not sure.